12.30pm Wednesday 20th March 2013.  Market Square, Nottingham

Members of the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) held a national strike today on Budget Day across the country. To highlight thier concerns over pay, pensions and the governments continued austerity measures.  

Leaflets handed out, banners displayed and speeches made. A number of speakers called for a General Strike ..... as opposed to the weak and piecemeal actions and measures, currently being taken by the TUC. 

In a statement, PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: 

"Far from being an aspiration nation budget, as the chancellor fatuously called it, it heralds the latest attack on our members who are really struggling financially and yet this government chooses to heap more misery on them.

"The chancellor is sticking rigidly to a plan that penalises public sector workers and runs down the economy.

"This budget also shows an arrogant disregard for the most vulnerable people in society with more than 200,000 more families expected to be thrown into poverty.

"Today’s strike has been a stunning success with many areas reporting their best ever turnouts.

"PCS members have brought the crucial argument against austerity out of the workplaces and into the streets, and have done so in great numbers. If the government continues to refuse to talk to us on crucial issues affecting our members’ livelihoods then we will act again and again."

"Many areas are reporting their best ever turnouts."

The strike will be followed by a half-day national walkout on Friday 5 April and other national and sector-specific strikes and protests over the next three months.

Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS)

http://www.pcs.org.uk

Nottingham Event listing:

http://tinyurl.com/c4zlw5b

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On Saturday 16th March, many PCS member also attended the rally opposing the governments plans on the "Bedroom Tax"

Bedroom Tax Nottingham Demo

http://nottingham.indymedia.org/articles/5463

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ALAN LODGE 

Photographer - Media: One Eye on the Road. Nottingham.  UK

Email:                 tash@indymedia.org

Web:                   http://digitaljournalist.eu

Member of the National Union of Journalists [NUJ]

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"It is not enough to curse the darkness.

                                   It is also necessary to light a lamp!!"

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